Acute Alcohol Toxicity

Based on data from the Poison Control Center, there are approximately 75,000 cases of alcohol poisoning in the U.S. annually. Moreover, 1.8 million people worldwide die from alcohol abuse annually, with many of these individuals dying from alcohol poisoning.

Many thousands of Americans are admitted to the Emergency Room as a result of alcohol intoxication. Moderate presentations of alcohol toxicity can lead to emergency room congestion, delays in critical treatment being administered to other patients, and unnecessary utilization of hospital resources. Treatment for alcohol toxicity through the rapid metabolism of ethanol and acetaldehyde may offer a way to rescue moderately and severely intoxicated patients while reducing the burden those patients impose upon hospitals and the healthcare system.